Land Cover

Land Cover information describes the predominant physical and cultural features that make up our landscape. Land cover is mapped from aerial photos and represented by polygons that define areas of land cover types. A hierarchical classification system groups similar types of land cover.

Use land cover information to:

  • Analyze growth patterns.
  • Determine wetland locations and types.
  • Evaluate potential wetlands losses or impacts.

Land Cover 2019

Description
The Land Cover 2019 layer shows land cover polygons categorized by Level 1 codes. For example, urban areas are salmon color, forests are dark green, wetlands are bright green, etc. The layer is transparent so it can be overlayed on imagery or base maps such as OpenStreetMap.
Map Scale Range
1:6,000 to 1:500,000
Data Source
Land Cover 2019
Map Samples

Land Cover Map Sample

Land Cover Aerial Map Sample

Wetlands 2019

Description
Wetlands 2019 is a subset of the Land Cover 2019 layer. Only detailed wetland and water codes are shown. The layer is transparent so it can be overlayed on imagery or base maps such as OpenStreetMap.
Map Scale Range
1:6,000 to 1:500,000
Data Source
Land Cover 2019
Map Samples

Wetlands Map Sample

Wetlands Aerial Map Sample

National Wetlands Inventory

Description
National Wetlands Inventory is from the national wetlands inventory program run by USFWS. Some areas have been updated recently, but many areas have not been updated since the original mapping was done in th late 1970s and early 1980s. Check status maps available at USFWS for info on source aerial photos, dates and more.
Map Scale Range
1:6,000 to 1:500,000
Data Source
National Wetlands Inventory
Map Samples

National Wetlands Inventory Map Sample

How to Access Land Cover Map Layers

Use the MapWise GIS Map Viewer to explore land cover maps and related information.